Help Holly Save Her Vision and Continue Her Education

I am Barry Mauer, Associate Professor of English at the University of Central Florida. One of my students, Holly Brown, recently contacted all her professors with an update about her medical situation and asked for accommodations because she is losing her vision and is at risk of going blind. She wrote, "I do not have the appropriate glasses right now as they are expensive, but I'm working on it. Vision is hard right now and I have to take a lot of breaks. I apologize for the complications, and I know you may wonder why I wouldn't just avoid college right now... I want to get my degree before I go blind...if I go blind... Hopefully that doesn't happen, but the medical system in this country is so messed up and prices for necessary treatments of extreme conditions are so high... I had a troubled childhood and came up in poverty. It has taken me so long just to get here and I don't want to just wait around hoping that my condition will eventually clear up. I just need some time and flexibility."

Here is what her doctor wrote:

To Whom It May Concern: This is a letter concerning Holly Brown (07/25/1985). Holly is currently under my care for an advanced case of Neurotrophic Keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes due to severe dry eyes most likely auto-immune related. Ms. Brown has been advised that she needs a complete rheumatoid work-up for auto-immune disease. Due to her severe dry eye, she has great difficulty with any sustained reading activity.

Sustained reading activity decreases normal blink rates and is very difficult for dry eye patients. If you happen to have severe dry eye secondary to neurotrophic keratitis, it is close to impossible to have sustained reading activity. Ms. Brown is currently enrolled in college and with this condition, it is perfectly understandable for her to be allowed to withdraw from courses until further treatment improves her current condition. This is a medical necessity that she not participate in sustained reading activities due to the worsening of her condition.

Imp/Plan:

1. Neurotrophic Keratoconjunctivitis OU. Patient was able to complete Oxervate. PT STATES HAS NOT HAD A RHEUMATOLOGY VISIT DUE TO COST - PT STATES IS WORKING TO GET FUNDS TO BE SEEN. Highly recommend patient schedule with Rheumatologist to find out underlying cause. Patient completed Eysuvis sample. Unable to refill due to cost. Unable to get Restasis due to cost. Discussed possibly starting FML; patient warned of chance of glaucoma and cataracts. Discussed Loteprednol and its risks. Rediscussed Autologous tears. Patient is open to autologous tears.

I very much want Holly to succeed in my course - and to get her degree and improve her life and the lives of her family members. Here is what she needs to treat her vision:

"My glasses are gonna be around $400 and a serum that is made from my blood to help healing is also a little over $400. My Dr prescribed a medication that is over $500 and my insurance won't cover." In addition, her rheumatologist appointment was quoted at $400.

I am asking for $1700 in donations to get her what she needs.